When parents meet with teachers, they often ask what they can do to motivate their children in mathematics. Here are some things parents can do to build a strong understanding of and confidence in mathematics in their children.
Share life experiences and problem-solving strategies with their children.
Demonstrate the value of mathematics by having children solve problems that are real and relevant to their lives, such as large item family purchases and the family budget, equitable home task assignments, cost of a college education and financial benefits, and measurement of all kinds.
Provide time, space, and the necessary tools for mathematics homework, including a calculator.
Encourage their children to join mathematics clubs in school and in the community.
Do home mathematics projects that could be developed into projects for science/mathematics fairs.
Purchase puzzles, games, books, and models to be used by the entire family.
Ask questions that have more than one answer.
Show children that there are many ways to solve problems.
Have children draw pictures and diagrams to represent problem situations.
Monitor children's work and stress the importance of checking homework.
Value education and reward accomplishment.
In the secondary level setting, I interviewed teachers in both the middle school (grades 7-8) as well as high school (grades 9-12). I found a variety of responses from the teachers, all whom work for the PM School District. Information from:
Patricia P. (M. Middle School Grade 7 & 8 lower level math courses) -introduction letter with course description -textbook letter -Moodle/homework hotline -Phone calls with good news or areas of concern -I also ask parents to sign their child's homework if they have spent twenty minutes on it and still do not understand it as that is an indicator that they need more help and extended time for the assignment after extra tutoring. -The online textbook can be helpful as well because of the extra practice, activities, and games. - I do find I have to be careful about what I ask of parents as some of my students have parents that did not have successful school careers or did not graduate. I don’t want to alienate these parents. There are times when it is difficult to ask parents to help their children with homework because some of them struggle with the content. I am not sure if this is true with all levels of classes as I only teach the lower level courses. We also teach the concepts using different strategies when compared with the traditional methods that many of the parents were taught.
Jackie M. (M. Middle School - Pre-Algebra 7; Algebra 7) I encourage parent involvement by: - making phone calls especially in the beginning of the year. - I send home a flyer with their child the first week of school with information on what the book is titled and where to go online for the materials that the book company provides for students as well as parents. - As a team, we invite parents in to team meeting to discuss their child. - At the half-way point, I send home a flyer to get signed by parents that shows the child's grade average as they head into the second half of the year. Also at that point let them know if there are any continuing homework issues or behavior problems. - As a school, we send progress reports at the mid marking period point and report card at the end of each marking period. - when I organize a school dance or event, I call parents for volunteers
Kathy G. (PM High School; upper level math courses) At the beginning of a course a letter is sent home to parents that describes the course syllabus and my personal expectations of the course. It also provides information on how parents can contact me and encourages them to do so if they have any questions or concerns. Prior to parents night, letters are sent home (via administration) encouraging parents to attend. At parent's night parents are given an overview of the course and given an opportunity to ask questions about upcoming events. I send home progress reports with individualized notes to parents 2 - 4 times a semester. Parents are called and consulted on how best to get their child back on track when needed. Calls are made when students show consistent improvement in course work. Letters are sent home to parents regarding their child's strengths and weaknesses relating to state tests and given ways that they can help encourage their student's success on these exams.
Angie S. (PM High School; lower and upper level math courses; Department Chair) Teaching career prep students, I always had them take home a letter with the course outline, classroom rules, and grading procedures that the students had to return with parents' signatures. Also, I used the students' hand books and had them record HW assignments and asked for the parents to sign that to verify they were aware of the HW. The obvious is that I made many, many phone calls - to report not just what was bad, but, I surprised the heck out of many parents when I called to say good job!
(The parents of the AP students always wanted to be involved through e-mails, calls, and actually showing up for Parents' Nights:)
INFORMATION FROM WEBSITES:
Scholastic.com: The first step to parent involvement is knowing your child's teachers. Ask about the best time to meet with them, and be ready to share what you know about how your child learns best. This is particularly important if she has specific learning needs. Parent's Night, where you should ask each subject teacher to share advice on managing your child's increasing workload. But stay in touch with teachers all year long.
Parent Involvement: Questions to ask:
What study skills are you teaching, and how should I reinforce these at home?
How should students be keeping track of assignments?
How many hours a day should my child be spending on homework?
Should I be correcting homework assignments?
Parent Involvement: Get Involved at School
Many middle schools have extracurricular activities and special events that promote reading and literacy and that welcome parent involvement. Research what's available, and encourage your child to join one that suits her interests. Then find out how you can lend a hand. Maybe you can help proofread the school newspaper or literary magazine.
Things to Do at Home
Keep your student organized: It's helpful to hang a weekly schedule on the fridge to keep track of upcoming tests and project due-dates. At the end of each week, go through your kids’ binders and file away tests and past assignments in an accordion folder.
Glencoe.com: Mathematics Professional Series:
Involving Parents and Community — Middle School
Parental Involvement
Parents teach their children all the time. They teach language to their infants, and they teach their young children not to talk to strangers. They read to their sons and daughters and, in the process, help them learn how to read and write. They even teach their children how to count and use basic arithmetic facts. But as their sons and daughters reach middle school and high school, many parents are not sure how to proceed with mathematics. Many are intimidated by their own perceived weakness in the subject. Yet most parents want to help their sons and daughters succeed in mathematics so that they may acquire the skills necessary to get a good job. The goal of parental involvement in mathematics is not to teach specific concepts, but to help students develop curiosity and an enthusiasm for solving problems. In the process, parents can extend the learning that takes place in school. You can provide support in three ways:
by communicating with parents about what is happening in your classroom,
by providing take-home activities for students and parents to complete, and
by inviting parents and other members of the community to school to share information with the students.
The parents of your students can become your biggest allies in the classroom.
How Parents Can Help at Home
When parents meet with teachers, they often ask what they can do to motivate their children in mathematics. Here are some things parents can do to build a strong understanding of and confidence in mathematics in their children.
In the secondary level setting, I interviewed teachers in both the middle school (grades 7-8) as well as high school (grades 9-12). I found a variety of responses from the teachers, all whom work for the PM School District. Information from:
Patricia P. (M. Middle School Grade 7 & 8 lower level math courses)
-introduction letter with course description
-textbook letter
-Moodle/homework hotline
-Phone calls with good news or areas of concern
-I also ask parents to sign their child's homework if they have spent twenty minutes on it and still do not understand it as that is an indicator that they need more help and extended time for the assignment after extra tutoring.
-The online textbook can be helpful as well because of the extra practice, activities, and games.
- I do find I have to be careful about what I ask of parents as some of my students have parents that did not have successful school careers or did not graduate. I don’t want to alienate these parents.
There are times when it is difficult to ask parents to help their children with homework because some of them struggle with the content. I am not sure if this is true with all levels of classes as I only teach the lower level courses. We also teach the concepts using different strategies when compared with the traditional methods that many of the parents were taught.
Jackie M. (M. Middle School - Pre-Algebra 7; Algebra 7)
I encourage parent involvement by:
- making phone calls especially in the beginning of the year.
- I send home a flyer with their child the first week of school with information on what the book is titled and where to go online for the materials that the book company provides for students as well as parents.
- As a team, we invite parents in to team meeting to discuss their child.
- At the half-way point, I send home a flyer to get signed by parents that shows the child's grade average as they head into the second half of the year. Also at that point let them know if there are any continuing homework issues or behavior problems.
- As a school, we send progress reports at the mid marking period point and report card at the end of each marking period.
- when I organize a school dance or event, I call parents for volunteers
Kathy G. (PM High School; upper level math courses)
At the beginning of a course a letter is sent home to parents that describes the course syllabus and my personal expectations of the course. It also provides information on how parents can contact me and encourages them to do so if they have any questions or concerns.
Prior to parents night, letters are sent home (via administration) encouraging parents to attend. At parent's night parents are given an overview of the course and given an opportunity to ask questions about upcoming events.
I send home progress reports with individualized notes to parents 2 - 4 times a semester.
Parents are called and consulted on how best to get their child back on track when needed.
Calls are made when students show consistent improvement in course work.
Letters are sent home to parents regarding their child's strengths and weaknesses relating to state tests and given ways that they can help encourage their student's success on these exams.
Angie S. (PM High School; lower and upper level math courses; Department Chair)
Teaching career prep students, I always had them take home a letter with the course outline, classroom rules, and grading procedures that the students had to return with parents' signatures. Also, I used the students' hand books and had them record HW assignments and asked for the parents to sign that to verify they were aware of the HW. The obvious is that I made many, many phone calls - to report not just what was bad, but, I surprised the heck out of many parents when I called to say good job!
(The parents of the AP students always wanted to be involved through e-mails, calls, and actually showing up for Parents' Nights:)
INFORMATION FROM WEBSITES:
Scholastic.com:
The first step to parent involvement is knowing your child's teachers. Ask about the best time to meet with them, and be ready to share what you know about how your child learns best. This is particularly important if she has specific learning needs.
Parent's Night, where you should ask each subject teacher to share advice on managing your child's increasing workload. But stay in touch with teachers all year long.
Parent Involvement: Questions to ask:
- What study skills are you teaching, and how should I reinforce these at home?
- How should students be keeping track of assignments?
- How many hours a day should my child be spending on homework?
- Should I be correcting homework assignments?
Parent Involvement: Get Involved at SchoolMany middle schools have extracurricular activities and special events that promote reading and literacy and that welcome parent involvement. Research what's available, and encourage your child to join one that suits her interests. Then find out how you can lend a hand. Maybe you can help proofread the school newspaper or literary magazine.
Things to Do at HomeGlencoe.com: Mathematics Professional Series:
Involving Parents and Community — Middle School
Parental Involvement
Parents teach their children all the time. They teach language to their infants, and they teach their young children not to talk to strangers. They read to their sons and daughters and, in the process, help them learn how to read and write. They even teach their children how to count and use basic arithmetic facts.
But as their sons and daughters reach middle school and high school, many parents are not sure how to proceed with mathematics. Many are intimidated by their own perceived weakness in the subject. Yet most parents want to help their sons and daughters succeed in mathematics so that they may acquire the skills necessary to get a good job.
The goal of parental involvement in mathematics is not to teach specific concepts, but to help students develop curiosity and an enthusiasm for solving problems. In the process, parents can extend the learning that takes place in school. You can provide support in three ways:
The parents of your students can become your biggest allies in the classroom.